Celebrating Our UM-Dearborn Donors

As we celebrate the transformative impact of Dean Marty Hershock’s tenure at CASL over the last ten years, we know that it is only through partnership with CASL alumni, donors and friends that many of Dean Hershock’s fundraising accomplishments were able to come to fruition. 

Through the invested support of CASL donors, the “Get to Graduation” Fund continues to grow, addressing financial barriers and unanticipated expenses that can arise when pursuing higher education. This year, gifts made toward this fund kept more than 60 students in school, and allowed them to stay focused on what matters most: their education. The impact of this fund goes beyond providing assistance, as it sends a message that they are not alone in this journey and have a community actively supporting them. 

Other critical funds supporting CASL students in their education include the Angela J. Allen Soar Laptop Technology Fund, created in honor of Professor Allen, an advocate and education champion. Through donor support, the SOAR program within CASL makes a tangible difference in students' lives by lending students the single most important tool for their success in today’s educational environment -- a laptop. 

Mariesha Harrington is one of many students benefitting from the SOAR fund: 

“The SOAR program has been very beneficial for me while pursuing my education at the University of Michigan-Dearborn because it provided some economic freedom. Being a non-traditional student, many barriers tend to be in our way. The SOAR scholarship removed that barrier for a semester by providing books, lending a laptop, and paying for our courses. This program has allowed me to smoothly transition into the University setting where I am on track and thriving toward my degree in Sociology." -Mariesha Harrington

Alongside critical and timely funds, donors made it possible for CASL students to explore worldly experiences, too. Through the Poland Study Abroad Scholarship, students had the opportunity to live in a Polish city founded in the 10th century for two months while earning credits toward graduation.  Another cultural and educational experience granted to CASL students and made possible by donors includes the Ottawa Internship Program. Through the Ottawa Internship program, students are given a first-hand experience in the Canadian government through placement with a Member of Parliament or Senator in the capital of Canada. Not only do students earn credit hours, but through this program, they have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and duties assigned through the parliamentarian staff. With more than 600 students having participated in this program, donors are helping equip students with the necessary skill set to pursue a career in government. 

An additional project that was completed during the 2022-2023 academic year was the CASL Digital Arts Lab. By investing in the latest generation of technology and software and providing it to the student population, the CASL Digital Arts Lab has utilized this new technology to support the needs of its students and to prepare them for careers related to Human-Centered Engineering Design, Journalism, Media Production, Communications, and Marketing. Thanks to a generous commitment from the Israelite House of David, an organization committed to philanthropic efforts throughout the state of Michigan, UM-Dearborn is able to provide an equitable educational experience for our CASL students who may not have access to the latest computers and software they need to succeed in their courses.

With Dean Raju Balakrishnan's tenure coming to an end, there are many accomplishments to commemorate and celebrate. Made possible by donors, his vision and mission have been able to flourish. Dean Balakrishnan expanded educational opportunities during his time, reinforcing the importance of real-world experiences through practice-based learning. Thanks to the generosity of COB donors, the college was able to award 202 scholarships worth $228,000 during the 2021-2022 academic school year, not including University scholarships or other external scholarships. Even more impressively, according to a 2022 survey, 46% of students graduated with no debt, and 82% graduated with debt less than $35k, a testament to the impact donors are making within students' lives as they make their way into the real world with fewer financial burdens. 

There is much to share about the donor impact within COB. Examples include the Bloomberg Finance Lab, which gives students the edge to compete globally, allowing them to analyze a vast amount of real-time market data and even earn their Bloomberg certification. By investing real money, the lab has become a flagship learning space, lending real-world skills to future business leaders of the world. Other tangible impact includes the recently endowed John H. and Patricia W. Mitchell Business Communication Lab. Through the lab, students can receive virtual or in-person help that focuses on guiding and assisting students with written and oral business communications skills. The lab helps each student become a thoughtful writer and speaker, and gives them the skills and confidence to continue in the business world after graduation. 

With the support of donors like you, as well as with the strong academic foundation Dean Balakrishnan has created, COB remains committed to providing deserving students in the region and beyond with a high-quality education. We wish Dean Balakrishnan well as he transitions to the University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business as their new dean.

On April 14, 2023, guests were welcomed to the beautiful splendor of Fair Lane’s estate and grounds for Continuing the Visions: An Interactive Experience to Benefit the Environmental Interpretive Center Event.

The evening was filled with stories and good conversations with former classmates and professors catching up, colleagues, donors, and friends alike, all sharing their love and support for the EIC. While mingling on the Fair Lane Estates, a silent auction was held with generous in-kind donations for guests to bid on. At the end of the evening, guests gathered in the pool room for remarks from EIC Director Claudia Walters and beloved former professor Dr. Orin Gelderloos.

In total, the generosity of the guests translated into over $20,000 raised for the EIC, helping the program continue its mission of promoting a healthy and sustainable environment through interdisciplinary studies. It was a successful night beyond measure for the EIC, made possible by many loyal donor supporters.